Paneling structure



Feb. 26, 1946. N A DEL TUFO PANELING S TRUC TURE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 8, 1944 Feb. 26, 1646. N. A. DEL TUF@ 2,665,726

PANELING S TRUCTURE Filed Nov. 8,` 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 yfQ 6 JVPC@ 6- 1A 19 la n 1 l 22' l 2o' 12' 15 I l5 Elwin/1MM ,NICHOLS PLDEL TUF@ @wolf-wu;

Patented Feb. 26, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PANELING STRUCTURE Nicholas A. Del Tufo, Bloomfield,.N. il.

Application vNovember 8, 1944, Serial No. 562,533

(Cl. wil-88;)

Claims.

This invention relates generally 'to ,paneling structure, and particularly to such structure wherein panels of tray shape are secured "by clips to a wall or similar surface.

'The use of .clips for the use of retaining decora'tive or protecting panels on surfaces such as store 'fronts is well known in the art. Some of these are of the spring clip type while others serve principally as hooks on which the panels are hung.

The ,present -invention .has as a .princi-pal object .the ,provision of means of simple structure for positively securing such structural panels in position on `a wall or like surface against forces whichfmay tend to dislodge them outwardly from the wall.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a `clip device which is adaptedto be locked by a simple mechanical act effective through the spaces rbetween panels.

.A further object of the invention is the provision in a-deviceof this character of a two-part clip, one part of which is movable into locking engagement with one 0r more panels after the latter are hung in position lon the surface to be zcovered.

.Numerous other objects and advantages ofthe invention will be apparent as it is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings which disclose preferred embodiments thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a clip of a preferred .structure in -locked engagement with the corner portions of four panels;

Fig. 2 'is a sectional View .of the device taken along the line 2 2 in Fig. l.;

Figs. 3 rand 4 .sho-w vthe two parts of the clip illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 in exploded view relation;

Fig. 5 illustrates a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6 6 in Fig. 5;

Figs. 7 and 8 show the two parts of the modified form of clip in exploded View relation.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 1 through 4 shows a clip assembly Il which will be referred to hereinafter as the slidelock clip. It comprises a base, or primary member I 2 and a slide, or secondary member I3.

The modified form of clip shown in Figs. 5 through 8 shows a clip assembly I I' which will be referred to hereinafter as the pivot-lock clip.

Itcomprises a base, or primary member I'2" and its pivot, or secondary member I3.

Thus, similar Aparts Von both clips Will 'be indicated below by similar numerals, distincti'on 'between the two forms being made by use of a prime in the designations of pivot-lock clip parts.

Each of the panels, or trays I4 is formed vwith an exterior wall I5 which is usually decorated 'or enameled. From the edges of this 'Wall lshort side walls I6 extend rearwardly, terminatingfin inwardly turned anges I'I which lie in a 'plane substantially parallel to that of the eXteriorwall I5.

Fastening of the trays 'I4 to'wall beams, 'strips or other supporting structure I'8 of the 'area to be covered may be efiectedby clips embodying the present invention in the following "manner:

Base members I2 (or 12'), with 4secondary members I3 (or I3) applied in open positions, are vsecured by screws I9 (or IS') to thestructure lI 8. These members are'located on the wallwhere the corners of trays I4 will come closest to jun'cf ture in their iinal positions, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

The trays are first hung on hook 'members 20 (or 20') formed integrally with Athe lbasezwalls 2l (or 21'), the tray flanges Il at the upper end of the trays engagingthese hooks. The outer portions of the hooks preferably are provi'ded'with inclined surfaces v22 (or 22') which urge the flanges I-I vto rest against the `edges or ywalls 2-3 (or 23') formed integrally with the base members I2 (or IZ') and lock members I3 (or "-I3').

These walls 23, -23 rise at substantially 4right angles from marginal portions ofthe clip vmem- Y bers, terminating in edges all of which lie in substantially a plane parallel to the `Abase of the members vand the surface to which 4the members are attached. A

With the trays thus hung on hook members 2|] (or 2D'), tray flanges I'I at the opposite or lower ends of the trays are then secured in their positions by means of the slide member I3 (or pivot,

member I3).

If the slide-lock clip is used, the slide I3 will rst be released by unscrewing 'slightly the central screw I9 which passes through an elongated slot 24 in the slide. The slide may then be lowered from its elevated or unlocked position to its lower or locked position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It is moved to this position by any suitable instrument that is insertable between the trays, such as a screw driver.

In locked position, hook members 25 engage the lower flanges I'I of the hanging trays. These hook members may also be provided with slightly inclined faces Z6 to urge the lower flange I1 inwardly against the edges of walls 23.

It is to be noted that the member I3 is not only slidable but is also cscillatable relative toY The wall is thus bent to the shape shown in Fig. 5,

from its originally straight condition shown in Fig. 8. The necessary pressure to eifect this deformation may be applied by any suitable instrument such as the screw driver above mentioned.

As the wall 23 is thus deformed, hooks 25 rotate around the screws I 9 from straight or unlocked positions inwardly and downwardly to the locked positions shown in Fig. to effect the same or substantially the same result as that obtained by the locking hooks 25 of the slide-lock above described.

It is believed to be obvious that the base and locking members of these clips may be secured separately to the wall when their use in pairs as shown in the drawings is not desired. For instance, base members may be used along the top of the uppermost row of trays, and locking members along the bottom of the lowermost row.

It is alsocontemplated by the instant invention thai-l the paired clips intermediate the single members may be either of the structure disclosed in the drawings wherein the members are readily severable, or these members may be'united as by exible portions. Each clip thus integrated may be formed from a single blank in various ways which are believed to be obvious from the invention as disclosed to those versed in the art.

It is believed that it should also be obvious that the invention'and its attendant advantages will be clearly understood from the foregoing illustration and description and that'many other forms and advantages are contemplated as within the spirit and scope of the invention, the forms herein described being merely preferred embodiments thereof.

I claim: K

l. In a paneling structure, panels for covering a wall or like surface in slightly spaced apart relation, said panels having inwardly and oppositely disposed flanges, primary and secondary clip members each provided with hook elements and securable to said wall prior to the applicathat engaged by the other hook, said clip being movable to iixed panel engaging position by means insertable in the spaces between said panels.

2. A paneling structure of the character described in claim l wherein the secondary clip members are each provided with centrally disposed means for securing said clips to said wall including an elongated slot in said clip whereby said hook elements are free to oscillate slightly as they are moved into iixed panel engaging position.

3. A paneling structure of the character described in claim l wherein the secondary clip members are united to their primary clip members by pivotal connections, one connection adjacent each of the two hook elements of each secondary element, the portion of said secondary member intermediate said hook elements being deformable by pressure applied thereto by said means insertable between the panels, said deformation effecting the turning of said secondary hook elements on said pivotal connections and into fixed panel engaging positions.

4. A clip assembly for securing panels to a wall or like surface comprising a base member and a secondary member, said secondary member being provided with a pair of spaced elements adapted positively to engage portions of said panels, and an elongated slot formed therein between said elements through which a fastening means, such as a screw, is insertable, whereby said member 'is securable to the wall, said fastening means also serving as a pivot on which said elements are free to oscillate slightly as they are moved into xed panel engaging position by means insertable between the panels.

5. A clip assembly for securingpanels to a wall or like surface comprising a base member and a secondary member, said secondary member being provided with a pair oft/spaced elements adapted positively to engage portions of said panels, a deformable bridge portion connecting said elements, and a fastening means, such as a screw, insertable through a hole in said member adjacent each of said spaced elements, whereby said member is securable to the wall, said fastening means also-serving as pivots on which said elements oscillate into fixed panel engaging positions when said bridge portion is deformed by means insertable between the panels.

NICHOLAS A. DEL TUFO. 

